Chapter Seven #2
I eased into her chair, rolled up my sleeves, and got to work.
The familiar tap of keys helped anchor me.
My mind, so often a tangle of competing thoughts, quieted when I worked.
I might not be the world’s most confident guy, but I was confident in my technical abilities. This stuff was as easy as breathing.
I could feel Susanne’s eyes on me. I caught a whiff of flowery perfume, along with a faint trace of sour milk.
“I have to say, your fashion sense is refreshing,” I said without looking up. “Your boyfriend must be constantly entertained. Never a dull moment with you.”
She made an adorable huffing sound.
As I risked a glance up, I saw her nostrils flare.
“I was the victim of a food fight at lunch,” she said primly. “And I’m between boyfriends, so I’m entertaining only myself.”
“Good to know. What kind of food?”
“Mac and cheese. I have more cheese on me than a double-loaded pizza. I had a choice between this lovely garment I borrowed from Irma, the art teacher, or my gym clothes.”
I moved my eyes slowly up her body. “Gym clothes would be a much better choice.”
“Only if I want to lose my job, which I don’t.” She smirked. “Bad software aside, I really love my job here.”
I grinned. “I don’t suppose you ever get bored.”
“God, no. Kids are the most interesting people.”
“I agree. Don’t tell Luke, but I’m crazy about that kid,” I confessed. “I’m hoping we can spend more time together now that I live here.”
“I get that. He’s very bright. Do you plan on having any of your own?”
I glanced up, unsure what to make of her question. She looked embarrassed for asking it. Was she fishing for information on my relationship status?
I smiled, trying to put her at ease. “For sure. But I think I’d like to go the traditional way and get a wife first.”
“Right. That’s wise of you.”
I hoped my honest answer contained all the details that might interest her.
After a final check, I closed all the tabs I’d been working in. The desktop was a nightmare, and I had to physically restrain myself from organizing the chaotic piles of folders and shortcuts. Instead, I pushed the chair away from the desk and stood.
“Alright, we’re done here for now.” I rubbed the back of my neck and cleared my throat.
This was the moment to reveal my true reason for coming here today.
“Susanne, I… want to apologize for Saturday night. I got a little loaded, and if I said or did anything inappropriate, I’m sorry. We were all just letting off steam.”
Color bloomed in her cheeks again and she moistened her lips. “I suppose some women might be flattered by that invitation, but I’m not one of them.”
“No, of course you aren’t that kind of woman, and I apologize, for myself and the rest of the guys. Actually, I apologize on behalf of all men.” I gave her a lopsided smile. “Can I make it up to you? Say, by taking you to dinner Saturday night?”
I held my breath. I could see my invitation had taken her by surprise, and she took a few long moments to think it over.
Her sudden smile was like a punch to the gut as she stared up at me with those whiskey-colored eyes. I could drown in them and stay drunk forever.
“I never refuse an apology that comes with dinner,” she said.
My heart did a flip and I smiled back, feeling excited for the first time in weeks, maybe months.
I forced myself to play it cool, instead of pumping my fist in the air. “Great. Do you have any preference on where to go and what to eat?”
She shook her head. “Not really. I’m half Italian, so I love food. I’m not picky.”
“A woman after my own heart.”
That was music to my ears. I gazed down at her mouth, her lips full and naturally pink, without any lipstick. My gaze drifted lower and landed on her necklace—a tiny, simple cross she wore on a thin gold chain. It was completely off center from her collarbones.
Mindlessly, I reached out and straightened it. My fingers touched her soft skin and lingered for a moment, before I realized she had stopped breathing.
I blinked. “Your pendant was crooked.” My eyes lingered on her neck as I slowly withdrew my hand.
She cleared her throat. “Thanks.” She reached up to trace the pendant with the tip of her finger. “I rarely see it, but I can understand how it might scream ‘straighten me’ to someone looking at it.”
I smiled sheepishly. “I might be a little obsessive about neatness and alignment.”
“I don’t mind. I actually find it cute.”
“I hope you’ll still feel that way if I rearrange your food during dinner.” My gaze dipped to the pocket of the smock she was wearing. A battered bar of dark chocolate was poking out like it was trying to escape. “Is that a chocolate bar?”
She looked down, mortified. “Oh my God, yes. Irma keeps stashing chocolate in the lounge for emergencies, and I may have... borrowed this earlier.”
I grinned. “Are you one of those people who think chocolate is a food group?”
“Maybe.” She stuffed the bar deeper into the pocket. “I just have a little… weakness. It’s not a problem. I can stop anytime.”
I chuckled. “If I’d known that, I’d have led with chocolate truffles instead of software updates.”
“There’s always next time.”
“I’ll remember that,” I promised.
Our eyes held for another long moment, then I glanced at my watch. “I really hate to cut this short, but I have to go. I have back-to-back meetings, and my brother Craig also asked me to help Carley and Luke with some errands.”
“I envy your relationship with your brother and his family.”
I smiled at the wistfulness in her voice. “Are you an only child?”
She smirked. “I wish. I have a brother who’s four years older.
When I was two, he took me to the local animal shelter.
He wanted to trade me in for a puppy. We’ve never gotten along.
Then, about ten years ago, his best friend and I broke up.
Long, ugly story. Let’s just say I’m glad that he stayed in Warwick and I moved to New York City. So, are we done here?”
“We are. You can play around with the software and let me know if you have any other problems. Here’s my phone number.”
She tapped my number into her phone, then I asked for hers.
“I look forward to Saturday,” I said truthfully. “I have a place in mind for dinner. Unless you’re a vegetarian, I can guarantee there’ll be meat on the menu.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“I’ll see you then.”
As I walked away trying to contain my elation, I realized I had never mentioned I owned Omega Software. And I didn’t intend to clear the air until I got to know Susanne better. I wanted to see if she liked me, not my bank account.